Central Iowa Water Works Marks One-Year Anniversary

Central Iowa Water Works (CIWW), the regional drinking water authority, marks its one-year anniversary today, and it’s been quite a year, noted Jody Smith, chair of the board, speaking to trustees at the monthly board meeting.

“It’s been an amazing year!” Smith said as he recounted the board’s many accomplishments.

The trustees met for the first time on April 24, 2024, and the action items ahead of the newly organized board ranged from general business (adopting bylaws, setting policies, forming committees and engaging professional services) to the heavy lift of shepherding a complex transfer of assets, including water treatment facilities, from the founding members to CIWW. In addition to going “live” on January 1 of this year, the board approved a 2025-2029 capital plan and began planning for the future with the expansion and development of water treatment facilities.

Smith concluded his list notable achievements with the hiring of Tami Madsen as executive director from a national search that garnered 45 applicants.

The formation of CIWW has attracted national attention. This week a delegation from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) including John Albert, deputy CEO, and Cindy McCombe, director of marketing, came to Iowa to shoot a video highlighting the ground-breaking formation of CIWW. The video will air at the AWWA Conference & Exposition in June.

--end--

About Iowa Water Works

The 12 founding members that collaborated on the formation of CIWW are: Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines Water Works, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk City, Urbandale Water Utility, Warren Water District, Waukee, West Des Moines Water Works and Xenia Rural Water District. Together, they serve the water needs more than 600,000 people in Central Iowa.